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Dozens of people want to fight as volunteers, Azerbaijani defense ministry says

Dozens of young people and elderly people are appealing to the armed forces with a request to join the military units and fight as volunteers, deputy head of the military-psychological training and public relations department under the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry, Colonel Abdulla Gurbani told Trend on Aug. 4.

"The medal ceremonies of families of soldiers and servicemen killed during the Armenian diversion group's attack on the positions of Azerbaijani army on the frontline were held," he added.

Azerbaijani servicemen killed and wounded in combat missions were recommended for the awards upon the defense minister's order.

The meetings with the families of the dead servicemen are being held in some cities and regions of Azerbaijan. The medals are awarded during these meetings.

"During these meetings, dozens of young people, people of middle and old age come with a request to join the ranks of the military units, express their willingness to voluntarily participate in the battles for the liberation of the occupied lands," he said. "Young volunteers are willing to carry out the Supreme Commander's orders for the land liberation."

Armenian armed forces launched a diversion on the night of July 31-August 1, when reconnaissance and sabotage groups tried to cross the contact line of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops through the territories of Aghdam and Terter regions.

Armenia's reconnaissance and sabotage group attacked the positions of Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction of Azerbaijan's Aghdam and Agdere regions on the night of August 1-2. Azerbaijan managed to locate the group and the sabotage attempt was prevented.

During the last four days, Azerbaijani positions have been constantly under attack, and 13 servicemen have been killed, several more were wounded. The Armenian side suffered more losses while trying to hide this fact from the public.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 1994. The co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Russia, France and the U.S. are currently holding peace negotiations.

Armenia has not yet implemented the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on the liberation of the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding regions.